Amid pressure to end Indigenous protest blockades of vital Canadian rail links, Prime Minister
Trudeau acknowledged the difficulties the blockades have caused for travellers and businesses, but he made it clear Friday the federal government had no plans to make the RCMP dismantle them.
"We are not the kind of country where politicians get to tell the police what to do in operational matters," Trudeau said in
"We are a country that recognizes the right to protest, but we are a country of the rule of law. And we will ensure that everything is done to resolve this through dialogue and constructive outcomes."
Conservative Leader
Scheer said the prime minister should tell Public Safety Minister
The disruptions are harming the Canadian economy and the livelihoods of farmers and small-business owners, Scheer told reporters in
"These blockades are illegal," he said. "So far, the prime minister has refused to come out and call them that himself."
The blockades began last week after the RCMP enforced an injunction against Wet'suwet'en hereditary chiefs and their supporters, who were blocking construction of the Coastal GasLink natural gas pipeline, a key part of the
Coastal GasLink has signed agreements with all 20 elected band councils along the pipeline route. However, Wet'suwet'en hereditary chiefs assert title to a vast 22,000-square-kilometre area and say band councils only have authority over reserve lands.
Scheer said a small number of demonstrators cannot be allowed to hold the economy hostage and threaten thousands of jobs.
"These activists may have the luxury of spending days at a time at a blockade, but they need to check their privilege," he said.
Federal Transport Minister
"This is a complex situation and I think that that does not indicate an understanding of the situation," he said.
Demonstrations continue as political leaders look to negotiate solutions, while business leaders, opposition politicians and members of the public call for immediate action to end the disruptions, which have already resulted in more than 80 arrests.
Tensions were expected to heat up on Friday with the threat of activists planning to shut down government offices in
Trudeau and B.C. Premier
Indigenous leaders in B.C.'s northwest have invited federal and provincial politicians to meetings to find solutions, and said they would ensure a blockade of a
CN spokesman
The railway said Thursday it was starting a progressive shutdown in the East, while Via Rail cancelled all service on CN tracks in
The Mohawk Nation said its members have agreed to meet with federal Indigenous Services Minister
The minister's office did not immediately reply to an email seeking confirmation he is attending the meeting, although Miller did request one on Thursday.
"This is becoming a very serious threat to the entire Canadian economy," Kenney said in
"This is a commodities-producing country, and we ship those commodities by rail."
In eastern
About five or six people from the Mi'kmaq community of
"It seems like they are going to be there a while," he said. "They are very determined."
Groups including the
Garneau said freedom of expression and the right to peaceful protest are among the most cherished of rights, but added he is "deeply concerned" about the rail disruptions.
There is a risk of seeing the stoppages merely as interference with the operations of profit-making companies, yet they affect all Canadians, he told a news conference Friday in
"It is about people's jobs and livelihoods and about the transport of key supplies like food, propane, heating oil and chemicals for water treatment, agricultural products for export and so many other products."
Garneau, who was meeting his provincial and territorial counterparts, as well as representatives of national Indigenous organizations, stressed the desire for peaceful resolutions.
Horgan has rejected calls from the Opposition Liberals to seek immediate injunctions to end blockades and protests in B.C.
"We can't just use force," he said in the legislature. "It needs to be dealt with by co-operation, by consultation, by discussion so that we can all move forward."
B.C. Liberal Leader
This report by
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